The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), has announced that on-demand audio or video streams will now be included in considering albums for gold and platinum status certifications in addition to traditional album sales.
According to the RIAA, 1,500 on-demand audio or video streams will be equal to one album sale. The gold and platinum awards program was created by RIAA in 1958. Also as of today, RIAA’s Digital Single Award ratio will be updated from 100 on-demand streams equaling a single download to 150 on-demand streams equaling one download as a reflection of streaming’s tremendous growth since RIAA created the ratio guidelines over two years ago.
“For nearly six decades, whether it’s vinyl, CDs, downloads or now streams, the Gold & Platinum Program has adapted to recognize the benchmarks of success in an evolving music marketplace. We know that music listening—for both for albums and songs—is skyrocketing, yet that trend has not been reflected in our album certifications. Modernizing our Album Award to include music streaming is the next logical step in the continued evolution of Gold & Platinum Awards, and doing so enables RIAA to fully reward the success of artists’ albums today.” said RIAA CEO and Chairman Cary Sherman in an official release about the new certification ruling.
Since the news broke RIAA has certified at least 17 albums with gold and platinum awards including Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise, and Coldplay’s Ghost Stories. The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness went double platinum.
